Peach tree named ‘Burpeachtwo’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachtwo’ and which is characterized as to novelty by a date of maturity for commercial harvesting and shipment of approximately August 1 to August 10 under the ecological conditions prevailing to the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety ofpeach tree, which has the denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachtwo’. The‘Burpeachtwo’ Peach Tree produces an exceptionally high quality,clingstone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment in lateseason. Another unique aspect of the ‘Burpeachtwo’ Peach Tree is that ityields a firm peach which exhibits very high eating quality as comparedwith the other peach varieties which mature at approximately the sametime. In this regard, the ‘Burpeachtwo’ ripens approximately August1^(st) which is approximately 5-6 weeks before the ripening date of the‘Autumn Lady’, the pollen parent; and approximately 7-9 days after the‘Summer Lady’ peach tree, the seed parent.

ORIGIN

The present variety of peach tree resulted from an ongoing program offruit and nut tree breeding. The purpose of this program is to improvethe commercial quality of deciduous fruit and nut varieties androotstocks by creating and releasing selections of prunus, malus andregia species. To this end, we make both controlled and hybrid crosseseach year in order to produce seedling populations from which improvedprogenies are evaluated and selected. The seedling ‘Burpeachtwo’ wasoriginated by us in 1993, and chosen from among a population ofseedlings which were derived from a controlled cross of the Peach Tree‘Autumn Lady’, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,398) which was used as the pollenparent; and the ‘Summer Lady’ Peach Tree, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,865),which was used as the seed parent. The resulting seeds from thiscontrolled cross were planted in the spring of 1994. The new variety ofpeach tree was selected from among the seedlings then growing in theexperimental orchards of the Assignee of the present application nearthe city of Fowler, Calif., County of Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley.The Peach Tree ‘Burpeachtwo’ was subsequently marked for observation andnoted at that time as having exceptional characteristics. It has beensubsequently and repeatedly evaluated during the 1995-1999 fruitingseasons. After the 1995 season, the Peach Tree ‘Burpeachtwo’ wasselected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

The new variety Peach Tree ‘Burpeachtwo’ was grafted into two differentand existing ‘Nemared’ (non patented) peach rootstocks in February of1996. The ‘Nemared’ rootstocks were planted in 1995. These rootstocksprovide the means by which more information regarding the new varietycould be derived. Scionwood from the original seedling of the PeachTree, ‘Burpeachtwo’ was subsequently collected and grafted in theevaluation plot on the assignees experimental farm previously described.Fruit from the resulting propagation has been evaluated for each of the1997, 1998 and 1999 fruiting seasons. These subsequent evaluations haveclearly demonstrated that the repropagated trees are true to thecharacteristics of the original seedling in all observable aspects.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The ‘Burpeachtwo’ Peach Tree is characterized as to novelty by producinglate season fruit having a very high quality; which are very firm; andwhich also have an attractive exterior coloration. In this regard, thepresent variety of peach tree bears clingstone fruit which are ripe forcommercial harvesting and shipment on approximately August 1 to August10. These harvesting dates are approximately the same harvesting periodas the common commercial freestone peach tree ‘O'Henry’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 2,964). The present variety of peach tree distinguishes itself fromthe ‘O'Henry’ Peach Tree however, by providing fruit having a brightexterior coloration, exceptional firmness, a clingstone trait and anextremely flavorful and juicy flesh quality. Further, the ‘Burpeachtwo’Peach Tree distinguishes itself from the ‘O'Henry’ Peach Tree in thatthe ‘O'Henry’ peach has a background color that can vary from a greenishto yellow-green hue, while in contrast, the fruit produced by the‘Burpeachtwo’ Peach Tree has a background color that is yellow-orange toorange in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of a characteristic twigbearing typical leaves; several leaves showing both the dorsal andventral coloration thereof; and several mature fruit showing theirexternal coloration sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment.Additionally one fruit of the subject variety is dissected in theequatorial or cheek plane to illustrate the flesh and stonecharacteristics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of the new anddistinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the assignee's orchards whichare located at 6705 South Clovis Avenue near the town of Fowler, countyof Fresno, state of California. All major color code designations are byreference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart (1995, Third Edition) provided byThe Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

Tree:

Size.—Generally — Average to above average as compared to other commonpeach cultivars.

Productivity.—Productive.

Figure.—The original seedling was trained in a central leaderconfiguration with a moderate spread in the crown of the tree. The treeis considered upright to upright spreading in form.

Height.—The original seedling had a height dimension of 12.1 feet (3.6m) after pruning at the end of the growing season in the winter of 1999.

Width.—The original seedling tree had a 6.8 feet width (2.07 m) at theend of the 1999 growing season under the prevailing ecologicalconditions then existing in the Central San Joaquin Valley.

Current season growth.—The current season growth for the new variety wasapproximately 3.1 to 3.5 feet (0.94-1.06 m).

Regularity of bearing.—Regular, and considered hardy under typicalcentral San Joaquin Valley conditions.

Trunk:

Diameter.—Approximately 2.51 inches (63.5 mm) in diameter when measuredat a distance of approximately six inches (15.24 cm) above the soillevel, at the end of five consecutive growing seasons as measured in thewinter of 1999.

Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough with numerous folds of paperyscarf skin being present.

Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present. The lenticelsrange in size from approximately 3.0 to 7.0 millimeters in width andfrom approximately 1 to 2 millimeters in height.

Bark coloration.—Variable, but it is generally considered to be agrey-brown (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 175 A).

Branches:

Size.—Considered medium for the variety.

Diameter.—Average as compared to other varieties. This is notdistinctive of the variety.

Surface texture.—Average, and appearing furrowed on wood which isseveral years old.

Crotch angels.—Typically ranging from 45-58 degrees from horizontal.This characteristic is not distinctive of the tree due to culturalpractices.

Color of mature branches.—Medium brown, (RHS Greyed Orange Group 172 Bto 200 B).

Current season shoots.—Color — Light Green, (RHS Yellow Green Group 144C), with some reddish-brown coloration appearing on the exposed shoots,(RHS Greyed Red Group 181 B). The color of new shoot tip is considered abright and shiny green, (RHS Green Group 143 B).

Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially glabrous.

Internode length.—Approximately 2.2 to 2.4 cm.

Lenticels.—Length — 3-4 millimeters.

Lenticels.—Width — 1-1.5 millimeters.

Lenticels.—Color — Greyed Orange Group (177D).

Leaves:

Size.—Considered average to small for the species. Leaf measurementshave been taken from vigorous upright current season growth atmid-shoot.

Leaf length.—Approximately 160 to 178 millimeters.

Leaf width.—Approximately 40 to 45 millimeters.

Leaf thickness.—Approximately 1 to 2 millimeters.

Leaf form.—Lanceolate.

Leaf tip form.—Acuminate. The tip often appears flexed downwards andventrally.

Leaf base shape.—Slightly oblique.

Leaf color.—Dark green, (RHS Green Group 135 C).

Leaf texture.—Smooth.

Lower surface.—Light green, (RHS Yellow Green Group 146 B).

Veination.—Pinnately net veined.

Mid-vein.—Color — Light yellow green, (RHS Yellow Green Group 150 D).

Leaf margins.—Form — Considered crenate, occasionally doubly crenate.

Uniformity.—Considered generally uniform.

Leaf petioles.—Size — Considered medium.

Length.—Approximately 6 to 10 millimeters.

Diameter.—Approximately 1.5 to 2 millimeters.

Color.—Pale green, (RHS Yellow Green Group 150 C).

Leaf glands.—Size — Approximately one to two millimeters in height andtwo to three millimeters in width.

Numbers.—Generally 2-3 per side, occasionally one per side.

Type.—Reniform.

Color.—Greenish brown, (RHS Grey Brown 199 C).

Leaf stipules.—Size — Medium for the variety.

Number.—2 stipules per leaf bud and up to 6 stipules per shoot tip.

Length.—Approximately 5 to 9 millimeters.

Width.—Approximately 1.0 millimeters wide.

Form.—Linear in form with a serrated margin.

Color.—Green (RHS Green Group 135A) when young but graduating to brown(RHS Greyed Orange Group 177A) with advancing senescence. The stipulesare considered to be early deciduous.

Flowers:

Flower buds.—Generally — The floral buds are considered to be 21-24 mmin length, 14-17 mm in width, conic in form, and slightly appressedrelative to the bearing shoot.

Flower buds.—Color — The bud scales are gray-brown, (approximately RHSGreyed Orange Group 177 C).

Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical central SanJoaquin Valley climatic conditions.

Blooming type.—Considered average to slightly later than average inrelation to other peach cultivars commonly growing in the central SanJoaquin Valley. Date of first bloom — Feb. 28, 1998. Date of full bloomwas March 4, in 1998.

Bloom duration.—Typically 10-12 days.

Flower type.—The variety is considered to be a showy type flower.

Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately 37 to 41millimeters.

Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.

Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 to 2 buds appear per node, although 1bud per node is more common.

Petal size.—Generally — Considered medium large for the species.

Length.—Approximately 18 to 20 millimeters.

Width.—Approximately 16 to 19 millimeters.

Petal form.—Broadly ovate.

Petal count.—Nearly always 5.

Petal texture.—Glaborous.

Petal color.—Light pink when young, (approximately RHS Red Purple Group68 C), and darkening with advancing senescence to a medium pink, (RHSRed Purple Group 68 B). Lower portions of the petal are typically darkerand exhibit a medium pink coloration (RHS Red-Purple Group 62A).

Petal claw.—Form — The claw is considered truncate in shape and has amedium size when compared to other similar varieties.

Length.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.1 millimeters.

Width.—Approximately 1 millimeter.

Petal margins.—Generally — Considered variable, from nearly smooth, tohighly undulate.

Petal apex.—Generally — The petals apices appear slightly domed.

Flower pedicel.—Length — Considered medium-short, and having an averagelength of approximately 1.9 to 2.6 millimeters.

Diameter.—Approximately 2 millimeters.

Color.—Bright green, (RHS Yellow Green Group 144 D).

Floral nectaries.—Color — Dull, orange to an orange-gold color,(approximately RHS Greyed Orange Group 169 D). The color of thenectaries become more dull and slightly darker with advancingsenescence.

Calyx.—Surface Texture — Generally glabrous.

Color.—A dull red, (approximately RHS Greyed Red Group 181 A).

Sepals.—Surface Texture — The surface of the sepals have a mediumlength, wooly, and gray colored pubescence. This color is notdistinctive of the variety.

Number.—Generally 5 per flower.

Size.—Typically 4-5 mm wide and 5-6 mm in length, and ovate in form.

Color.—A dull red, (approximately RHS Greyed Purple Group 184 B).

Anthers.—Generally — 1.0 mm in width and 1.0-1.5 mm in length.

Color.—Red to reddish-orange dorsally, (approximately RHS Greyed RedGroup 178 C).

Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow-gold color,(approximately RHS Yellow Orange 19 A).

Filaments.—Size — Variable in length, approximately 14 to 16millimeters.

Color.—White, (RHS White Group 155 D), and darkening with advancedmaturity.

Pistil.—Generally — Average in size.

Length.—Approximately 15 to 17 millimeters, including the ovary.

Color.—Considered a very pale green when young, (approximately RHSYellow Green Group 150 D).

Surface texture.—Pubescent.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—The present variety of fruit is described, asit would be found in its firm ripe condition at full commercialmaturity. In this regard, the fruit of the present variety was firstpicked on approximately Aug. 1, 1998. The date of last pick of the samefruit in 1998 was approximately August 10 under the ecologicalconditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

Size.—Generally — Large, and considered moderately uniform.

Fruit weight.—Typically — 175 grams utilizing typical cultural practicesemployed in the Central San Joaquin Valley.

Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 80 to 82 millimeters.

Average suture diameter.—Approximately 73 to 77 millimeters.

Average axial diameter.—Approximately 78 to 80 millimeters.

Fruit form.—Generally — Oblate in its lateral aspect. The fruit isgenerally uniform in symmetry with a slightly oval form when viewed fromthe apical aspect.

Fruit suture.—Generally — The suture appears as a thin line whichextends from the base to the apex, and appears slightly deeper, basally,within the stem well, and apically on both sides of the pistil point. Noapparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture line.

Suture.—Color — The suture normally is the same color as the underlyingblush color, both where the orange-yellow background, (RHS Yellow OrangeGroup 21 C) and the red orange color, (RHS Red Group 47) A), occur.

Ventral surface.—Form — Considered uniform.

Stem cavity.—Size — Considered moderate for the species.

Width.—Approximately 21-23 millimeters.

Length.—Approximately 33-35 millimeters.

Depth.—Approximately 11 to 12 millimeters.

Form.—Considered narrowly oval.

Fruit base.—Generally — Considered truncate in form, and uniform.

Fruit apex.—Generally — Considered depressed and usually recessed belowthe height of the apical shoulders and often oblique to the suture.

Fruit stem.—Generally — Considered medium in length, approximately 9 to11 millimeters.

Diameter.—Approximately 3 to 4 millimeters.

Color.—Generally a pale yellow-green, (approximately RHS Yellow GreenGroup 145 B).

Fruit skin.—Generally — Considered medium or average in thickness.

Surface texture.—The variety has very light, short pubescence.

Skin acidity.—Considered neutral.

Tenacious to flesh.—Yes at commercial maturity.

Tendency to crack.—Not observed.

Skin color.—Generally — Variable, with approximately 70% to 90% of thefruit surface covered with an attractive red blush.

Blush color.—The blush color is generally more prevalent apically. Thisred blush color ranges from a dark red, (RHS Red Group 47 A) to anorange red, (RHS Red Group 33 B), with many degrees of shading andblending between these colorations.

Skin ground color.—This is generally present in variable percentagescovering approximately 10% to 30% of the fruit's surface, and which is aYellow-golden color, (RHS Yellow Orange Group 22 A to 20 D).

Flesh color.—Generally — Considered variable, from a yellow/orange, (RHSYellow Orange Group 16A to 16 D), to reddish orange, (approximately RHSRed Group 45 B). This color can radiate into the flesh generallybeginning at the exterior margin.

Flesh fibers.—Generally — Present, numerous, and light colored. Theseflesh fibers are present throughout the the flesh.

Stone cavity.—Color — Red, (approximately RHS Red Group 45 B), to ayellow orange, (approximately RHS Yellow Orange Group 18 B). Withincreasing maturity, occasional red flecks can appear randomly in theflesh. These flecks are more numerous nearer to the pit cavity than atthe exterior margins.

Flesh texture.—Generally — The flesh is considered firm and fine atcommercial maturity.

Ripening.—Generally — The fruit of the present variety ripens evenly.

Flavor.—Considered very sweet and having mild acidity. The flavor isconsidered both pleasant and balanced.

Aroma.—Pleasant and abundant.

Eating quality.—Generally — Considered very good to excellent and wellabove average when compared to other common varieties.

Stone:

Attachment.—Generally — The stone is considered a true clingstone atfull commercial maturity.

Stone size generally.—Considered medium for the species.

Length.—Approximately 32 to 35 millimeters.

Width.—Approximately 28 to 30 millimeters.

Diameter.—Approximately 23 to 25 millimeters.

Fibers.—Generally — A few medium length fibers are attached along theentire surface area of the stone.

Stone form.—Generally — The stone is considered oval.

Stone base.—The stone base is somewhat oblique.

Base angle.—The base angle of the stone is variable, but most frequentlyis considered slightly oblique to the stone axis.

Hilum.—Generally — Considered medium in size, and relatively welldefined. The hilum is approximately 5 to 7 millimeters long andapproximately 3 to 4 millimeters wide.

Form.—Considered oval.

Apex.—Shape — The stone apex is raised and had a rounded tip.

Stone shape.—Considered Variable. The stone is normally unequal,although occasionally it may appear nearly equal.

Stone surface.—Surface Texture — Generally considered medium inroughness and exhibits substantial pitting laterally. Substantialgrooving is apparent over the apical shoulders. Surface pitting isprominent generally, and occurs more frequently basally. Pits aregenerally more elongated in shape as opposed to typical pitting that ismore cylindrically shaped.

Ridges.—Numerous fine ridges are present basally and converge towardsthe base of the stone.

Ventral edge.—Width — Considered medium, and having a dimension ofapproximately 5 to 7 millimeters at mid-suture with the wings being mostprominent over the basal area.

Dorsal edge.—Full, heavily grooved and having jagged edges. The dorsaledge is moderately eroded over the apical shoulder.

Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is approximately a light tomedium brown, (RHS Orange Red Group 34 B).

Tendency to split.—No splitting noted.

Kernel.—Form — Oval.

Taste.—Bitter.

Viable.—Yes; Average width — 10.9 mm; Average length — 19.7 mm.

Use.—The subject variety ‘Burpeachtwo’ Peach Tree is considered to be apeach tree which matures in the late season and which produces fruitwhich are very firm, have an attractive color, and which arecommercially useful for both local and long distance markets.

Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit has in the past appeared to havestored well up to 18 days after harvest at a temperature of about 20° C.

Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular susceptibilities werenoted.

Shipping quality.—Well above average.

Although this new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics noted above, as a result of the growing conditionsprevailing in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley of CentralCalifornia, it is to be understood that variations of the usualmagnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,fertilization, pruning and pest control are to be expected.

Having thus described and illustrated our new variety of peach tree whatwe claim as new and desire to secure by Plant Letters Patent is:
 1. Anew and distinct variety of peach tree substantially as illustrated anddescribed and which is characterized as to novelty by producing anattractively colored clingstone peach, which is sufficiently matured forharvesting and shipment approximately August 1 to August 10 under theprevailing ecological conditions experienced in the San Joaquin Valleyof Central California.